The rental permits of two Penn State fraternities were suspended by the State College Borough Council yesterday, a punishment that will evict all tenants for six months, beginning Dec. 23, unless an appeal is sought and granted.

Because of excessive rental permit violations, Tau Kappa Epsilon, 346 E. Prospect Ave., and Phi Kappa Tau, 408 E. Fairmount Ave., were labeled "nuisance properties" by council.

The fraternities will have 15 days to appeal the suspension to Borough Manager Tom Fountaine.

Fountaine said in a press release that the suspension of the rental permits is necessary to ensure neighborhoods are safe in State College.

"This action, while regrettable, is necessary to protect the quality of life in our neighborhoods," Fountaine said. "Nuisance properties, like these two properties, take away from the overall quality, peace and safety in the neighborhood."

Both properties have logged enough violations to reach the point of suspension of their permits. Tau Kappa Epsilon received points for disorderly conduct and fire code violations. Phi Kappa Tau received points for snow, refuse violations, disorderly conduct and furnishing alcohol, according to the press release.

Rental properties in the borough are evaluated on a point system, with points being awarded for every violation a property receives. Violations such as not shoveling a sidewalk or leaving garbage out are worth fewer points than furnishing alcohol to a minor or disorderly conduct. Once a property reaches five points, a formal

notice is sent. When a property reaches 10 points, tenants face permit suspension.

Borough health officer Mark Henry said although previous discussions had stated that the fraternities would have until the end of their houses' lease periods to vacate, the borough did not receive adequate lease information from either fraternity.

"We couldn't get enough lease information, so we picked a date at the end of the semester," Henry said.

Henry said if the fraternities are able to present proper lease information, the borough will allow them to remain in the houses until the lease period ends. Henry also said that during the six months that the house is vacant, it will be secured and locked. He said as long as the building is secure, furniture and other items will be allowed to remain in the house as long as it is not occupied.

Henry said the fraternities and their advisers were notified Wednesday of the borough's decision.

He said each property has three levels of appeal they can request. The first step is appealing to the borough manager, who has the right to either stay or uphold the permit suspension.

Henry said if the fraternities choose to appeal and do not agree with the manager's decision, the next step would be to appeal to the State College permit revocation board. The board has the same options as the borough manager, Henry said.

If the fraternities do not agree with the board's decision, Henry said the third step would be to appeal to the Centre County Court.

Henry said the 15-day time frame for an appeal began the day each fraternity received its notice in the mail.

When reached at their respective properties yesterday, members of both fraternities declined to comment.